Ariana Grande's 'Dangerous Woman' album: Everything you need to know
Get to know Ari's third record
Last updated 20th Sep 2024
Ariana Grande released her third studio album 'Dangerous Woman' in May 2016 as a follow-up to her second album, 'My Everything'. The record spawned huge hits such as the title track, 'Be Alright', 'Into You' and 'Side to Side' featuring Nicki Minaj - among many others!
The album is still one of her most popular to date as it marked a shift in Ari's image from Disney actress to sultry singer. Here's everything you need to know about Ariana Grande's album 'Dangerous Woman'...
When was the album released?
It came out on 20th May 2016, making it currently eight-years-old in 2024! Ari teased the arrival of her new record on Instagram the night before the album's release to get her fans pumped for when it dropped - which did the trick, as the album went straight in at Number 1 in the UK! It went in at Number 2 in the US, being kept off the top spot by Drake's 'Views'.
However, that didn't mean it wasn't a success - the album has since been certified Double Platinum in the US, and was certified Platinum in the UK in June 2019 having previously gone Gold in December 2016.
What did she say about the album title?
Fans were originally convinced that the record would be called 'Moonlight', which is the first track of the album - but Ari changed her mind after falling in love with 'Dangerous Woman'. She told Jimmy Kimmel in an interview about how she'd changed her mind, explaining that 'Moonlight' is one of her "favourite" tracks on the album.
"As we're wrapping things up, of course I've been writing and singing, we're at the final stretch... now there's this other song that has thrown me for a whirlwind and I love it so much, it's changed everything," she confirmed.
Ari announced the album title on social media in February 2016, posting an image a couple of days later with the caption: '"They said, "You are a savage and dangerous woman." I am speaking the truth. And the truth is savage and dangerous." - Nawal El-Saadawi ♡ ♡'
How old was Ariana when it came out?
Ari was 22-years-old when she released 'Dangerous Woman'! Her birthday is 26th June 1993 and as the album was released on 20th May 2016, she would have celebrated her 23rd birthday less than a month after the release of the album.
What's the tracklist?
1) 'Moonlight'
2) 'Dangerous Woman'
3) 'Be Alright'
4) 'Into You'
5) 'Side to Side' (featuring Nicki Minaj)
6) 'Let Me Love You' (featuring Lil Wayne)
7) 'Greedy'
8) 'Leave Me Lonely' (featuring Macy Gray)
9) 'Everyday' (featuring Future)
'Bad Decisions'
'Thinking Bout You'
Did Ariana write 'Dangerous Woman'?
She did indeed! Ari co-wrote the lyrics for nearly all the tracks on the album, working with the likes of Victoria Monét, Max Martin and ILYA among other names.
What were Ariana Grande's 'Dangerous Woman' tour dates?
Ariana announced her 'Dangerous Woman Tour' on social media shortly after the album dropped, and began the tour in the US in February 2017. She performed 77 dates in total, finishing the tour in September 2017 and was supported by Victoria Monét and Little Mix.
At Ariana's concert on 22nd May 2017 at the Manchester Arena, 22 people devastatingly lost their lives during an explosion. Ari understandably cancelled the next seven shows, and organised the benefit concert One Love Manchester which took place on 4th June 2017.
She resumed the tour on 7th June in Paris, performing throughout Europe, Latin America, Asia and Oceania.
One Love Manchester
The Manchester benefit concert was announced by Ariana three days after the attack, and took place on 4th June 2017 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground with 55,000 people in attendance - including many who had been at the Arena concert, as they'd been allowed to apply for free tickets.
Ari was joined by a whole host of artists who took to the stage: Marcus Mumford, Take That, Robbie Williams, Pharrell Williams, Miley Cyrus, Niall Horan, Little Mix, Victoria Monét, The Black Eyed Peas, Imogen Heap, Mac Miller, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Coldplay, Liam Gallagher and Stevie Wonder, who performed 'Love's in Need of Love Today' on a video.
All the performers came together at the end of the show to perform Ari's hit 'One Last Time', followed by Ariana's cover of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' - which she released as a single to raise even more money.
The British Red Cross received over £2 million for the We Love Manchester Emergency Fund during the concert, which was over three hours long, and reported that they'd received over £10 million over the following 12 hours after the concert. The money for the Fund went to the victims and their families.
Which other albums has Ariana Grande released?
'Yours Truly' (2013)
Ariana Grande's debut album 'Yours Truly' was released in September 2013, peaking at Number 1 in the US and Number 7 in the UK. The track listing of the album is: 'Honeymoon Avenue', 'Baby I', 'Right There' (featuring Big Sean), 'Tattooed Heart', 'Lovin' It', 'Piano', 'Daydreamin'', 'The Way' (featuring Mac Miller), 'You'll Never Know', 'Almost Is Never Enough' (with Nathan Sykes), 'Popular Song' (with Mika) and 'Better Left Unsaid'.
Of the album, Ariana told SheKnows: "They can expect a lot of honesty. It's like a direct... you know, it's like it used to be pages from my diary, instead of keeping diary, I would write songs about what was happening in my life. So it's really personal. It's a Motown throwback and pop at the same time, so it's '50s and '60s inspiration mixed with today."
'My Everything' (2014)
Her follow-up 'My Everything' was released in August 2014, again peaking at Number 1 in the US and this time going to Number 3 in the UK. As of August 2024, the album was certified 2x Platinum in the UK. The track listing of the albums is: 'Intro', 'Problem' (featuring Iggy Azalea), 'One Last Time', 'Why Try', 'Break Free' (featuring Zedd), 'Best Mistake' (featuring Big Sean), 'Be My Baby' (featuring Cashmere Cat), 'Break Your Heart Right Back' (featuring Childish Gambino), 'Love Me Harder' (with The Weeknd), 'Just a Little Bit of Your Heart' (written by Harry Styles), 'Hands on Me' (featuring A$AP Ferg) and 'My Everything'. The deluxe version also included 'Bang Bang' featuring Jessie J and Nicki Minaj.
She told Rolling Stone of the record: "It's an album that I want to do a little bit different. I don't want it to sound like an extension of Yours Truly. I want it to sound like an evolution. I want to explore more sounds and experiment a little bit. I have a bunch of ideas I'm very excited about and a lot of stuff cooking."
'Dangerous Woman' (2016)
Ari's third album 'Dangerous Woman' was released in May 2016, once again going to Number 1 in the US, and this time, also scoring the top spot in the UK. The track listing is: 'Moonlight', 'Dangerous Woman', 'Be Alright', 'Into You', 'Side to Side' (featuring Nicki Minaj), 'Let Me Love You' (featuring Lil Wayne), 'Greedy', 'Leave Me Lonely' (featuring Macy Gray), 'Everyday' (featuring Future), 'Bad Decisions' and 'Thinking Bout You'.
The album was nearly titled 'Moonlight', and Ariana explained the decision to change it: "'Moonlight' is a lovely song, and it's a lovely title. It's really romantic, and it definitely ties together the old music and the new music, but 'Dangerous Woman' is a lot stronger. To me, a dangerous woman is someone who's not afraid to take a stand, be herself and to be honest."
'Into You' has since been certified 3x Platinum.
'Sweetener' (2018)
Ariana's fourth album 'Sweetener' was released in August 2018, topping the charts in 27 countries including the UK and US. The track listing is: 'Raindrops (An Angel Cried)', 'Blazed' (featuring Pharrell Williams), 'The Light Is Coming' (featuring Nicki Minaj), 'R.E.M.', 'God Is a Woman', 'Sweetener', 'Successful', 'Everytime', 'Breathin', 'No Tears Left to Cry', 'Borderline' (featuring Missy Elliott), 'Better Off', 'Goodnight n Go', 'Pete Davidson' and 'Get Well Soon'.
'Sweetener' was Ariana's first record since the devastating attack in Manchester. Many fans and non-fans around the world praised her for her approach to the album - ensuring that what happened was in the bones of the record, but that it wasn't defining her.
thank u, next (2019)
Less than six months after the release of 'Sweetener', Ari released 'thank u, next'. It went to Number 1 in both the UK and the US, and the track list is: 'Imagine', 'Needy', 'NASA', 'Bloodline', 'Fake Smile', 'Bad Idea', 'Make Up', 'Ghostin', 'In My Head', '7 Rings', 'Thank U, Next', 'Break Up with Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored'.
The title track was hugely popular, partly thanks to the incredible music video in which Ari paid homage to many Noughties chick flicks. It also dealt with the death of her ex-boyfriend, Mac Miller, and her split from ex-fiancé Pete Davidson. Ariana promoted both 'Sweetener' and 'thank u, next' on her 'Sweetener World Tour' in 2019.
She said of the album to Billboard: "I feel like there are certain standards that pop women are held to that men aren't. We have to do the teaser before the single, then do the single, and wait to do the pre-order, and radio has to impact before the video, and we have to do the discount on this day, and all this, and it's just like, 'Bruh, I just want to talk to my fans and sing and write music and drop it the way these boys do. Why do they get to make records like that and I don't?' So I do and I did and I am, and I will continue to."
'positions' (2020)
After bagging a Grammy Award alongside Lady Gaga, the singer released her sixth album 'positions'. Ariana announced in mid-October that her sixth album would dropping that month, casually writing on Twitter: 'i can't wait to give u my album this month.'
She then released 'positions' on Friday 30th October 2020, made up of the tracklist: 'shut up', '34+35', 'motive' feat. Doja Cat, 'just like magic', 'off the table' feat. The Weeknd, 'six thirty', 'safety net' feat. Ty Dolla $ign, 'my hair', 'nasty', 'west side', 'love language', 'positions', 'obvious', 'pov'.
The record hit the top spot in both the UK and US album charts, and was in the Top 3 positions in 17 other countries. So far, it's been certified Gold in the UK by the BPI and Platinum in the US by the RIAA.
'Yours Truly' Deluxe Edition Re-Release (2023)
Ari re-released her debut album 'Yours Truly' in 2023 to mark its 10th birthday, made up of the original tracklist plus six tracks that were re-recorded in 2023 live in London studios: 'Honeymoon Avenue', 'Daydreamin'', 'Baby I', 'Tattooed Heart', 'Right There' and 'The Way'.
'Eternal Sunshine' (2024)
Ari's seventh album 'Eternal Sunshine' was released on 8th March 2024! She somehow found time to write, record and release a whole entire album while still working on the Wicked musical movie adaptations. It went to Number 1 in both the UK and the US, plus plenty of other countries around the world too, and so far has been certified Gold in the UK by the BPI - translating to roughly 100,000 album sales. In September 2024, The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album Platinum.
The tracklist for the record is made up of: 'intro (end of the world)', 'bye', 'don't wanna break up again', 'saturn returns interlude', 'eternal sunshine', 'supernatural', 'true story', 'the boy is mine', 'yes, and?', 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)', 'i wish i hated you', 'imperfect for you' and 'ordinary things (feat. nonna)'. Although Ari is hugely busy working on the Wicked films, she has teased a tour could be on the way to take her most recent album on the road - watch this space!
In October 2024, to celebrate seven months since the release of her seventh album, Ariana released a live version of the record. Titled 'Eternal Sunshine Slightly Deluxe and Also Live', the album contained live recordings of seven songs from the original tracklist - with the singer also releasing accompanying videos alongside a group of talented musicians. The tracks included: 'Intro (End of The World)', 'Eternal Sunshine', 'Don't Wanna Break Up Again', 'Supernatural', 'Yes, And?', 'We Can't Be Friends' and 'Imperfect For You'.
Scroll through to see Ariana's career highlight through the years:
Early life
Ariana was born in Florida in 1993 to CEO Joan Grande and company owner Edward Butera, who had recently moved the family from New York to the sunshine state. As a child growing up in Florida, she enjoyed taking part in school plays. Ariana then moved to New York as a young teenager, and in 2008 she starred in the Broadway musical 13.
2010 - 2013: Victorious
After that she moved onto a Nickleodeon TV series called Victorious, where she played the role of Cat Valentine. Following four seasons on Victorious she then starred in two seasons of the spin-off series Sam & Cat before taking roles other TV and theatre roles.
2011: 'Give It Up'
Her move towards music started in 2011 when she featured on the 'Music from Victorious' album singing 'Give It Up' with her co-star Elizabeth Gillies.
2013: Debut album
In 2013, the singer released her debut album, 'Yours Truly', which she described as a "throwback" to the R&B music of the 1990s. The first single released from her album was 'The Way' and featured her former boyfriend Mac Miller.
2014: 'Problem'
It wasn't until 2014 and the single 'Problem' that Ariana Grande saw chart success in the UK. The music video for the song, featuring Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, won Best Pop Video at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards and has now been viewed more than 1 billion times on YouTube.
2014: Jessie J collaboration
Following 'Problem' Ariana had a number of top 10 hits in the UK, including 'Bang Bang' with Jessie J and Nicki Minaj in 2014, working with Nicki once again on 'Side to Side'. She also saw huge success with 'One Last Time', which appeared on her second album 'My Everything', released in August 2014. In May 2024, the song was certified 4x Platinum by the BPI - translating to over 2.4 MILLION sales in the UK alone.
2016: 'Dangerous Woman'
Ariana also embarked on her biggest tour to date - the 'Dangerous Woman Tour' supporting her third album 'Dangerous Woman'. Devastatingly, her show at Manchester Arena on 22nd May 2017 ended with a horrific tragedy when a bomb killed 22 people and injured many others.
Following the terrible events of that night, messages of support for those affected poured in from around the world, including many from pop stars and celebrities.
Ariana, along with her team, worked quickly to put on a show that would bring everyone together at such a difficult time. Less than two weeks after the attack, the One Love Manchester benefit concert took place, with a line-up that included Katy Perry, Little Mix, Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber and many more artists - as well as Ariana herself.
2018: 'Sweetener'
Ariana understandably took some time off during 2017, but returned in August 2018 with her 'Sweetener' album which peaked at Number 1 in the UK and US, as well as many other countries around the world. It catalogued her dealing with everything she'd been through, as well as her relationship with Pete Davidson, which ended in October 2018.
2018: 'thank u, next'
Ariana suffered yet more loss in 2018 when her ex-boyfriend and close friend Mac Miller passed away. She paid tribute to him in beautiful Instagram posts, and even referenced him as an "angel" in her song 'thank u, next' - which practically broke the Internet with its incredible music video, taking inspiration from many iconic 90s and 00s teen films like Mean Girls.
2019: 'thank u, next' Take 2
...But Ari wasn't done there! Releasing her second album in less than six months, the album 'thank u, next' came out in February 2019, again topping the charts all over the world.
2019: Honoured with a waxwork
Ariana's waxwork at Madame Tussaud's was unveiled on Tuesday 21st May for an exclusive five-week residency starting on Friday 24th May. The final design of Ariana was chosen by fans, and Steve Davies, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said, "There is no doubt about it – Ariana Grande is one of the biggest female pop-superstars in the world right now and rightfully deserves this residency at Madame Tussauds London.
"Fans have been asking that Ariana's figure join our A List line up for some time and we loved working with them to decide the star's outfit. Much like the lady herself, Ariana's figure will be making her London appearance for a limited time only so Arianators should be quick to grab a chance to 'meet' their idol!"
2019: Charlie's Angels reboot
Ariana co-executive produced the soundtrack to the 2019 reboot of Charlie's Angels, singing the title track 'Don't Call Me Angel' with Miley Cyrus and Lana Del Rey.
2020: Potential casting in the live-action Hercules?
Ari took part in the Disney Family Singalong during lockdown in April 2020, singing 'I Won't Say I'm In Love' from Hercules - sparking calls for her to play the role of Meg in the upcoming Disney live-action remake of the 1997 animated original.
2020: Surprise release of her sixth album
Ariana announced in October 2020 that her sixth album would be released that month! At the time, she released no other information about the record, keep her fans in total suspense.
2020: The release of her sixth album 'positions'
Ari then released her sixth album 'positions' just two weeks later on Friday 30th October 2020 - and fans were over the moon!
2021: Ariana, Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion
In 2021, Ariana released a remix of her track '34+35' that featured on her album 'positions'. The track, '34+35 Remix', features huge names Doja Cat and Megan Thee Stallion and was a massive hit with fans. Later that year, Ariana returned the favour to Doja Cat, featuring on 'I Don't Do Drugs' from Doja's third album 'Planet Her'.
2021: Ari joins the judging panel for The Voice
In March 2021, Ariana was announced to be joining the judging panel for The Voice US! She'll be replacing Nick Jonas on the panel and sit alongside Kelly Clarkson, John Legend and Blake Shelton when the show returns in September 2021.
2021: Ariana Grande announced for new Wicked film
Ariana Grande was announced as Glinda in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked, which is also star Cynthia Erivo. Ariana has been a fan of Wicked for many years, even taking part in an NBC special called A Very Wicked Halloween, to celebrate the fifteenth anniversary of the musical.
2021: Ariana Grande releases her R.E.M. Beauty make-up range
In September 2021, Ariana Grande announced that she is launching her own beauty brand called R.E.M. Beauty.
The make-up range was then launched in November 2021 and is described on the website as: 'r.e.m. beauty was created to empower you with the tools you need to bring your most vivid, limitless, and creative dreams to life.
'Our products blend otherworldly ideas with real world innovation to inspire you to explore what creativity means to you.'
2021: Ariana Grande stars in Netflix film Don't Look Up
Ariana starred in the Netflix comedy drama Don't Look Up, written and directed by Academy Award winner Adam McKay. Ariana plays world-famous musician Riley Bina, who performs a song. According to Adam, the singer improvised some of the song which he immediately thought: "Oh, that's going in the movie".
Don't Look Up also stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence as astronomers try to convince the world that there is a comet threatening to wipe out life on Earth.
2022: Ariana Grande releases Chapter 2 of her R.E.M. Beauty make-up range
In March 2022, Ariana released Chapter 2 of her R.E.M. Beauty make-up range. The singer shared a number of photos on her social media along with a promotional video.
In May, Ari shared a video on r.e.m. beauty's official YouTube, where she lead a makeup tutorial using products from both Chapters.
2022: Ariana is announced as a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race
On 14th December 2022, the exciting news was announced that Ariana Grande would be returning to the RuPaul's Drag Race judging panel!
Both the show's official socials, and Ariana herself, confirmed the exciting news, revealing that she would be making her Ru-turn as a guest judge for season 15, which would air in January 2023.
2023: First look at Ariana in Wicked movie released
On 16th April 2023, fans got their first look at Ariana in the Wicked movie! Sharing two posts, we also got to see Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba. With the first of the two films set for release on 22nd November 2024, you can see the first look images and everything else we know about the Wicked film here.
2023: Ari's R.E.M. Beauty voted Best Celebrity Beauty Brand
In September 2023, Ariana's make-up brand R.E.M. Beauty was awarded the Cosmopolitan Reader's Choice Award for the Best Celebrity Beauty Brand! Just two years after the brand's official launch, and shortly after it launching its first Sweetener foundation - a 60-shade skin care-infused range - Ari celebrated the win on Instagram, writing: 'thank you @cosmopolitan readers for voting for @r.e.m.beauty ! we are so grateful (and we feel like we're just getting started) 🥲♡'. (sic)
2024: Ariana drops new single 'yes, and?
Ariana dropped her first solo music in three years on 12th January, an epic new single called 'yes, and?' which later appeared on her seventh album, 'Eternal Sunshine', which was released in March 2024. The song was an instant hit, flying to the Number 1 spot on the US Billboard Hot 100, and bagging the Number 2 spot in the UK Chart. Just one month after the vogue-like music video premiered on YouTube, it amassed over an impressive 40 million views.
2024: Ariana releases a remix track with Mariah Carey
On 16th February 2024, Ariana released a remixed version of her hit 'yes, and ?' with Mariah Carey! Citing the global superstar as the 'queen of my heart and lifelong inspiration', Ariana thanks Mariah for 'sprinkling your brilliance and magic on my little song'. The 'yes, and ?' remix was released alongside an accompanying lyric video of Ariana's YouTube channel.
Listen to Ariana Grande and Mariah Carey's 'yes, and ?' remix here on YouTube.
2024: Ariana releases seventh album 'Eternal Sunshine'
In January 2024, Ariana Grande delighted fans by announcing her highly-anticipated seventh album, 'Eternal Sunshine', which was released on 8th March 2024. Containing tracks like 'yes, and?', 'the boy is mine' and 'imperfect for you', it was an instant hit with fans who loved how raw yet uplifting the record is. It scored a Number 1 in both the UK and the US, plus plenty of other countries around the world.
In September 2024. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified the album 1x platinum. The RIAA also certified album track 'the boy is mine' 1x platinum, and 'we can't be friends (wait for your love)' 2x platinum.
2024: r.e.m. beauty X Wicked make-up collection
Just a week after the incredible official trailer for the Wicked movie dropped, Ariana upped the excitement as she teased her cosmetic brand r.e.m. beauty would launching a new collection inspired by the movie.
Sharing an image of the collection's packaging, which looked like a book with Wicked-inspired imagery, fans could see the r.e.m. beauty branding alongside the Wicked movie's. Despite not divulging any further details, it's fair to say the post got fans extremely excited.
2024: Ariana teases an 'Eternal Sunshine' tour
In between all of her other projects, Ari teased in July 2024 that she'd love to perform her 'Eternal Sunshine' album - but not as one of her typical tours: "It's definitely, for a multitude of reasons, not going to be a tour in the way I used to tour. It'd be a mini little sampling of shows. I do think it'd be really nice to do that. It's something that me and my team are working on."
2024: 'Eternal Sunshine' live album
On 1st October 2024, Ariana delighted fans with the drop of a brand new live album, in celebration of seven months since the release of her seventh album 'Eternal Sunshine'. Announcing the album - 'Eternal Sunshine Slightly Deluxe and Also Live' - on her socials, Ari gushed that she wanted to 'surprise you all with one more Eternal Sunshine related something' before she focuses her attention on the release of the Wicked movie. The album contains seven live tracks from the original album - 'Intro (End of The World)', 'Eternal Sunshine', 'Don't Wanna Break Up Again', 'Supernatural', 'Yes, And?', 'We Can't Be Friends' and 'Imperfect For You'.
Ariana wrote: '｡˚wanted to surprise you all with one more Eternal Sunshine related something before i head back into my bubble and meet you over the rainbow next month… so i performed seven songs (from ag7) with this wonderful group of musicians, in celebration of seven months of Eternal Sunshine. Eternal Sunshine Slightly Deluxe and Also Live is now available. ·ꕤ.ﾟꕤ'. (sic)
Ariana recorded the live performances alongside the talented musicians, adding: 'the videos will be coming out one at a time, each day this week. Peaches says thank you for all of your love and that she cannot wait to see you again later.' (sic)
You can hear Ariana Grande's biggest hits on the Hits Radio playlist.
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